Pointing device

ABSTRACT

A primary pointing device controls the position of a cursor on a digital screen by means of primary position commands (C 1 ). The primary position commands (C 1 ) are generated by relative movement (D 1   1 ; D 1   2 ) between the primary pointing device and a substantially flat external surface, such as a tabletop or mouse pad. The primary pointing device is adapted to dock with a secondary pointing device, which may also control the position of the cursor on the digital screen. Bearing registering user input controls in the secondary pointing device generate secondary position commands (C 2 ), which are fed to the digital processor for causing the cursor to move on the digital screen. Furthermore, the primary pointing device is adapted to dock with the secondary pointing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates byreference essential subject matter disclosed in InternationalApplication No. PCT/SE02/02241 filed on Dec. 5, 2002 and Swedish PatentApplication No. 0104110-2 filed on Dec. 6, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the production of positionrelated commands for controlling graphical events on a digital screen.More particularly the invention relates to a primary pointing deviceaccording to the preamble of claim 1 and a multifunction pointing deviceaccording to the preamble of claim 11.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The trend in both telecommunication and data processing is towardsmobility, decreased device sizes and application specific interfaces.Moreover, our manners of interacting with computers and variouscommunication tools is becoming less orthodox. For example, it cannot bepresupposed that the user predominantly sits at a desk when operatinghis/her computer. Together, these circumstances place an increaseddemand for user-friendly and flexible data input arrangements. One wayof accomplishing such arrangement would be to provide a portablepointing device, which for example, is attachable to a user's hand andthat communicates wirelessly with a computer. The user is thereby freeto move relative to the computer and its digital screen, while at thesame time, he/she maintains the ability to interact with the computer.Moreover, this arrangement increases the user's chances of finding acomfortable and ergonomically appropriate working posture.

However, certain applications and work tasks may be less suited forinteraction via a portable pointing device. For instance, in situationswhere a relatively high positioning accuracy is demanded, the user mayprefer to rest his/her lower arm against a steady support and perhapsmake use of a comparatively large area and/or range of movement togenerate the position commands. Hand held devices, such as theabove-mentioned pointing device, generally allow only a rather shortrange of movement (or input area). Typically, they also provide arelatively low degree of physical support for the user's arms, hands andfingers.

Therefore, although a non-desktop working posture is generallypreferable for interaction with most applications, a user equipped witha portable pointing device should not be restricted from employingalternative or complementary pointing devices in situations where thisis warranted. In fact, the variation itself of the working posture isadvantageous from an ergonomic point of view, even if the standardworking posture already is ergonomically correct. Varying the workingposture namely reduces the static exertion on the body and stimulates anadequate blood flow through the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a flexiblesolution for entering position related commands into a digitalprocessor, which alleviates the problems above and thus allows the userto chose a working posture being optimal with respect to therequirements of the work task as well as the user's personalpreferences.

According to one aspect of the invention the object is achieved by aprimary pointing device for controlling the position of a cursor on adigital screen as initially described, which is characterized in that itis adapted to dock with a secondary pointing device for controlling theposition of the cursor on the digital screen. The secondary pointingdevice generates the secondary position commands, by manipulation of atleast one bearing registering user input control. The secondary positioncommands are processed by the digital processor, which then causes thecursor to move on the digital screen.

Naturally, the primary and the secondary pointing devices may representany geometrical shape and design, which allows them to dock and thus bephysically connected to each other. The ability to dock the primarypointing device with a secondary pointing device is advantageous sincethis allows the user to, in addition to a conventional use of thedevice, operate it as a pointing device having all the capabilities ofan alternative pointing device, for example a portable unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, theprimary pointing device comprises a battery charger. The battery chargerhas a docking interface, which is adapted for reception of the secondarypointing device such that it may charge at least one rechargeablebattery cell therein. It is, of course, advantageous to include abattery charger in the primary pointing device, since many interestingapplications for any secondary pointing device imply that this unit hasa wireless communication interface and therefore requires a separatepower source in the form of an electrical battery. Most preferably, thisbattery should also be rechargeable. Naturally, both the primary and thesecondary pointing device may be operated by the user while the batterycell in the secondary pointing device is being charged.

According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the secondary pointing device comprises a U-shaped holdingmember, which is adapted for attachment to a human hand. Furthermore,the docking interface is adapted to receive this U-shaped holdingmember, such that a physical connection between the primary pointingdevice and the secondary pointing device may be accomplished here. Asecondary pointing device being at least partly U-shaped is normallydesirable both from an ergonomic—and a user friendliness point of view.It is also desirable to arrange a docking interface on the primarypointing device, which is adapted to said U-shape since this results ina an overall shape of the primary pointing device that likewise isappropriate with respect to ergonomics.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the docking interface is further adapted to receive thesecondary position commands from the secondary pointing device when thesecondary pointing device is connected to the primary pointing device.An advantage attained thereby is that the position commands from the twopointing devices can be coordinated, such that a desired control withrespect to the cursor is accomplished efficiently.

According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the primary pointing device also comprises a transformationunit, which converts the secondary position commands received via thedocking interface into corresponding primary position commands. Thesecommands may thus be forwarded to the digital processor via acommunication interface that normally is used for transporting primaryposition commands from the primary pointing device. This is desirable,i.a. since it facilitates the processing of the position commands on thedigital processor side.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, theprimary position commands are presumed to represent a first type ofcursor positioning while the secondary position commands are presumed torepresent a second type of cursor positioning. Technically, the firstand the second type of cursor positioning may be identical. However, itis generally more useful if they are non-identical, because differenttypes of positioning may be efficient/appropriate in different worksituations and/or applications. Hence, a separation of the types ofpositioning between the primary and the secondary pointing device allowsthe user to simultaneously or alternately take advantage of at least twodifferent types of positioning, both when the devices are connected toeach other and when they are separated from each other.

According to one preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention,the first type of cursor positioning represents a relatively highaccuracy with respect to cursor movements on the screen. The second typeof cursor positioning, on the other hand, represents a relatively lowaccuracy with respect to cursor movements on the screen. An advantageattained thereby is that the second type of positioning may, forexample, be used for moving the cursor long distances, whereas the firsttype of positioning may be used for small cursor movements and/orwhenever a high precision is required.

According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the first type of cursor positioning causes the cursor tomove along a first direction, say vertically, on the digital screen andthe second type of cursor positioning causes the cursor to move along asecond and different direction, say horizontally. Such separation of thedirections is sometimes advantageous, because it results in a veryefficient user interaction with respect to certain applications.

According to a first alternative preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention, the primary pointing device comprises a wirelesscommunication interface for transmitting the primary position commandsto the digital processor. A wireless communication interface (e.goptical or radio) is desirable whenever the user requires a flexible andrelatively unconstrained interaction with the digital processor.

According to a second alternative preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention, the primary pointing device instead comprises a cableinterface for transmitting the primary position commands to the digitalprocessor. It is true that this kind of interface is less flexible thana wireless ditto. However, a cable interface may still be advantageous.For example, the cable can also be used to transport electrical energyto the primary pointing device, such that the device does not need apower supply of its own.

According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved bya multifunction pointing device as initially described, which ischaracterized in that the secondary pointing device is detachable fromthe primary pointing device. Moreover, the primary pointing device andthe secondary pointing device may be operated separately. Specifically,this means that when the secondary pointing device is detached from theprimary pointing device, the cursor moves on the digital screen eitherin response to the primary position commands or in response to thesecondary position commands. The cursor may also move in response to acombination of the primary position commands and the secondary positioncommands.

This design provides a great flexibility while maintaining thecapabilities of each pointing device, irrespective of whether thesecondary pointing device is attached or not, and is thus veryadvantageous.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, thesecondary pointing device comprises a rechargeable battery cell.Furthermore, the primary pointing device includes a battery charger forcharging the rechargeable battery cell when the secondary pointingdevice is connected to the primary pointing device. As mentionedearlier, it is advantageous to include a battery charger in the primarypointing device, since many of the interesting applications for thesecondary pointing device imply that this unit has a wirelesscommunication interface and therefore requires a separate power source,in the form of e.g. a rechargeable electrical battery.

According to a first alternative preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention, the primary pointing device comprises a wirelesscommunication interface for transmitting the primary position commandsto the digital processor. Again, a wireless communication interface isdesirable whenever the user requires a flexible and relativelyunconstrained interaction with the digital processor.

According to a second alternative preferred embodiment of this aspect ofthe invention, the primary pointing device instead comprises a cableinterface for transmitting the primary position commands to the digitalprocessor.

According to yet a preferred embodiment of the second alternativeembodiment of the invention, the cable interface includes at least onewire for transporting electrical energy to the primary pointing device.Consequently, the primary pointing device does not need a power supplyof its own and can thereby be made lighter, less complex and lessexpensive.

According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the multifunction pointing device contains a dockinginterface for receiving the secondary position commands from thesecondary pointing device when the secondary pointing device isconnected to the primary pointing device. The multifunction pointingdevice also includes a transformation unit for converting the secondaryposition commands into primary position commands, which are adapted forforwarding to the digital processor. The secondary position commands maythus be forwarded to the digital processor via a communication interfacethat normally is used for transporting primary position commands fromthe primary pointing device. This is generally desirable, because theprocessing of the position commands may thereby be facilitated on thedigital processor side.

To summarize, the invention offers a wide range of possibilities for theuser of a computer, data—or telecommunication device to vary his/herworking posture and thus find a means of interaction with the device,which is optimized both with respect to the work task and with respectto an ergonomic point of view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means ofpreferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and withreference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a primary and a secondary pointing device according to anembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention,which includes the proposed primary and secondary pointing devices,

FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of a multifunctionpointing device according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows a second alternative embodiment of a multifunction pointingdevice according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a respective semi-transparent representation of a primarypointing device 100 and a secondary pointing device 200 according to anembodiment of the invention. Both the devices 100 and 200 are adaptedfor controlling the position of a cursor on a digital screen ofarbitrary computer or communication device. The primary pointing device100 includes a bearing registering sensor 130, which registers relativemovements between the primary pointing device 100 and a substantiallyflat external surface and render these movements adapted forinterpretation as position commands to control a cursor. The bearingregistering sensor 130 preferably records movements in two dimensionsand may operate according to any known technology in the field. Forinstance, it may include a ball, an optical sensor or anothernon-mechanical sensor (e.g. capacitive or resistive). Furthermore, thesensor 130 may either be adapted for registering movements of theprimary pointing device 100 relative an external surface that isstationary, or vice versa, presuppose that the primary pointing device100 is stationary and register movements of a comparatively smallexternal surface, such as a fingertip. Preferably, the primary pointingdevice 100 also includes so-called mouse buttons 121 and 122 for inputof various commands from the user in relation to the cursor's currentposition. Furthermore, the primary pointing device 100 may include oneor more modules for processing various position commands and otheruser-generated inputs.

The secondary pointing device 200 also contains bearing registeringmeans for receiving position commands from a user. According to apreferred embodiment of the invention, these means are different fromthe bearing registering sensor 130 in the primary pointing device 100,at least in one respect. For instance, the bearing registering userinput control could be combined with a confirmation—or click-functionbeing included in a touch pad, a joyball or a joystick 232. In additionto this, or as an alternative, the secondary pointing device 200 couldinclude one or more scroll wheels 230 a and 230 b for registeringpositioning commands with respect to certain directions. Preferably andin analogy with the primary pointing device 100, the secondary pointingdevice 200 also includes mouse buttons 221 and 222 for registeringcommands from the user, which are related to the cursor's currentposition.

As can be seen in the figure, the secondary pointing device 200comprises a generally U-shaped lower portion having two legs. The shapeof this portion is adapted for attachment to a human hand in order toenhance the usability of the device 200. Naturally, the device 200 mayequally well be operated by any other means, for example by the userholding it in one or both hands.

The primary pointing device 100 comprises an upper portion in the formof a docking interface 150, which is adapted to the U-shaped member ofthe secondary pointing device 200, such that a physical connection maybe accomplished between the primary pointing device 100 and thesecondary pointing device 200 by placing the secondary pointing device200 on top of the primary pointing device 100. A contact 151 in thedocking interface 150 contains leads, which are electrically connectedto a battery charger 140 in the primary pointing device 100. When thesecondary pointing device 200 is connected to the primary pointingdevice 100, the battery charger 140 may thus charge a rechargeablebattery cell 250 in the secondary pointing device 200. The batterycharger 140 itself may either receive its electrical energy from abattery inside the primary pointing device 100 (rechargeable orsingle-use) or be connected to an external power source.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact 151also includes one or more leads or connectors for exchanging informationbetween the devices 100 and 200. According to another preferredembodiment of the invention, the devices 100 and 200 instead exchangeinformation over a wireless interface, such as Bluetooth™. The devices100 and 200 may thus communicate with each other also when they are notphysically connected.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention,which includes a primary pointing device 100 respective a secondarypointing device 200 as described with reference to FIG. 1 above. Thedevices 100 and 200 are here connected to a digital processor 400 in alaptop computer and control the position of a cursor 411 on thecomputer's digital screen 410.

The primary pointing device 100 controls the position of the cursor 411by means of primary position commands C, that are sent to the digitalprocessor 400 via a cable 110 a. Obviously, the primary positioncommands C₁ may equally well be sent to the digital processor 400 via awireless communication interface, such as optical or radio. The bearingregistering sensor 130 registers movements D¹ ₁ and D¹ ₂ of the primarypointing device 100 and generates primary position commands C,correlated thereto. The digital processor 400 receives the primaryposition commands C₁ and produces instructions, which cause the cursor411 to move on the screen 410 in response the movements D¹ ₁ and D¹ ₂ ofthe primary pointing device 100. Typically, a movement of the primarypointing device 100 along a first direction D¹ ₁ corresponds to a cursormovement along a first direction d₁ on the screen 410 and a movement ofthe primary pointing device 100 along a second direction D¹ ₂ beingindependent from the first direction D¹ ₁ corresponds to a cursormovement along a second direction d₂ on the screen 410, which isindependent from the first direction d₁.

Correspondingly, the secondary pointing device 200 controls the positionof the cursor 411 by means of secondary position commands C₂ that aresent to the digital processor 400 via a wireless interface 210 (e.g.radio or optical). Although less preferred, the primary positioncommands C₁ may, of course, equally well be sent to the digitalprocessor 400 via a cable interface. At least one of the bearingregistering user input controls 230 a, 230 b and 232 respectivelyregisters the user's commands in a first direction D² ₁ and/or a seconddirection D² ₂ and generates secondary position commands C₂ beingcorrelated thereto. The digital processor 400 receives the secondaryposition commands C₂ and produces instructions, which cause the cursor411 to move on the screen 410 in response to the user's commands D² ₁and D² ₂. Again, a command in a first direction D² ₁ normallycorresponds to a cursor movement along a first direction d₁ on thescreen 410 and a command in a second direction D² ₂ being independentfrom the first direction D² ₁ corresponds to a cursor movement along asecond direction d₂ on the screen 410, which is independent from thefirst direction d₁.

Irrespective of whether the devices 100 and 200 are connected to eachother or not, either of or both devices may control the cursor 411. Thismeans that the cursor may move on the digital screen 410 eitherexclusively in response to the primary position commands C₁, exclusivelyin response to the secondary position commands C₂, or in response to acombination of the primary position commands C₁ and the secondaryposition commands C₂.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the functionalityof at least one of the devices 100 and 200 depends on whether thesecondary pointing device 200 is docked with (i.e. physically connectedto) the primary pointing device 100 or not. For example, one or morefunctions in the secondary pointing device 200 may be turned off whenthis device is docked with the primary pointing device 100.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the primaryposition commands C₁ represent a first type of cursor positioning, e.g.a relatively slow movement or a movement along a first specificdirection, and the secondary position commands C₂ represent a second anddifferent type of cursor positioning, e.g. a relatively fast movement ora movement along a second specific direction. The different types ofcursor positioning may also differ with respect to accuracy, such thatfor example, the first type represents a comparatively high accuracywith respect to movements of the cursor 411, whereas the second type ofcursor positioning represents a comparatively low accuracy with respectto movements of the cursor 411.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of a multifunctionpointing device 300 according to the invention, which includes theproposed primary pointing device 100 and the proposed secondary pointingdevice 200. The multifunction pointing device 300 may control theposition of a cursor on a digital screen in a multitude of ways. Any ofthe bearing registering means 130, 230 a, 230 b and 232 and the mousebuttons 121, 122, 212 and 222 on the sub-devices 100 and 200 may namelybe used for entering commands into the digital processor, which in turnactually controls the cursor. Naturally, the user can choose totemporarily disable one or more of the controls 130, 230 a, 230 b, 232,121, 122, 212 or 222 if he/she so prefers.

Here, all commands generated by the primary pointing device 100 are sentvia a first wireless communication interface 210, e.g. Bluetooth™. I.e.both the primary position commands C₁ and any selection or activationcommands produced by the mouse buttons 121 and 122 are transmitted overthis interface 210. Correspondingly, all commands generated by thesecondary pointing device 200 are sent via a second wirelesscommunication interface 110 b, e.g. Bluetooth™. Hence, the secondaryposition commands C₂ as well as any selection or activation commandsgenerated by the mouse buttons 221 and 222 or the click-function in thebearing registering user input control 232 are transmitted over theinterface 210.

As mentioned with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 above, the secondarypointing device 200 is detachable from the primary pointing device 100and both devices are separately operable. Consequently, when thesecondary pointing device 200 is detached from the primary pointingdevice 100, the cursor may be controlled either exclusively by theprimary position commands C₁, exclusively by the secondary positioncommands C₂ or by a combination of the primary position commands C, andthe secondary position commands C₂.

FIG. 4 shows a second alternative embodiment of a multifunction pointingdevice 300 according to the invention, which includes the proposedprimary pointing device 100 and the proposed secondary pointing device200. Here, the contact 151 in the docking interface 150 receives thesecondary position commands C₂ from the secondary pointing device 200,as well as any other signals produced by this device 200, and forwardsthese signals to a transformation unit 160 in the primary pointingdevice 100. The transformation unit 160 converts the secondary positioncommands C₂ into primary position commands C₁, which are subsequentlyforwarded via a cable interface 110 a in order to control a cursor on adigital screen. Preferably, any signals produced by the mouse buttons221 and 222 or the click-function in the bearing registering user inputcontrol 232 in the secondary pointing device 200 are also transmittedover this cable interface 110 a.

Obviously, the cable interface 110 a may be replaced by a wirelesscommunication interface 110 b, such as described with reference to FIG.3 above, without altering the proposed operating principle of thisembodiment. However, an advantage attained by the cable interface 110 ais that the cable may include one or more wires for transportingelectrical energy E to the primary pointing device 100, for example fromthe computer to which the device 100 is connected. Consequently, theprimary pointing device does not need a power supply of its own and canthus be made lighter, less complex and/or less expensive.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, both the primarypointing device 100 and the secondary pointing device 200 communicatewirelessly as described with reference to FIG. 3 above. However, theprimary pointing device 100 transmits the secondary position commands C₂via the secondary pointing device 200 (as described with reference toFIG. 4 above). Naturally, such communication may take place also whenthe devices 100 and 200 are physically separated. According to analternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the secondarypointing device 200 instead communicates with the digital processor viaa cable interface (as in FIG. 4), however receives the secondaryposition commands C₂ over a wireless interface, such as Bluetooth™.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a particularprimary pointing device 100 may function as a receiver and converter forsecondary position commands C₂ from more than one secondary pointingdevice 200.

The term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is takento specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps orcomponents. However, the term does not preclude the presence or additionof one or more additional features, integers, steps or components orgroups thereof.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in thefigures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A primary pointing device for controlling theposition of a cursor on a digital screen in response to primary positioncommands (C₁) wherein the commands are processed by a digital processor,the primary position commands (C₁) being generated by a relativemovement between the primary pointing device and a substantially flatexternal surface, the primary pointing device is adapted to dock with asecondary pointing device for controlling the position of the cursor onthe digital screen in response to secondary position commands (C₂)processed by the digital processor, the secondary position commands (C₂)being generated by manipulation of at least one bearing registering userinput control on the secondary pointing device.
 19. A primary pointingdevice according to claim 18, further comprising a battery chargerhaving a docking interface adapted for reception of the secondarypointing device and charging at least one rechargeable battery celltherein.
 20. A primary pointing device according to claim 19, whereinthe secondary pointing device comprises a U-shaped holding member beingadapted for attachment to a human hand, the docking interface beingadapted to receive the U-shaped holding member and thus accomplish aphysical connection between the primary pointing device and thesecondary pointing device.
 21. A primary pointing device according toclaim 18, wherein the docking interface is further adapted to receivethe secondary position commands (C₂) from the secondary pointing devicewhen the secondary pointing device is connected to the primary pointingdevice.
 22. A primary pointing device according to claim 21, furthercomprising a transformation unit, the transformation unit converting thesecondary position commands (C₂) received via the docking interface intoprimary position commands (C₁) and thus rendering the commands adaptedfor forwarding to the digital processor.
 23. A primary pointing deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the primary position commands (C₁)represent a first type of cursor positioning, and the secondary positioncommands (C₂) represent a second type of cursor positioning.
 24. Aprimary pointing device according to claim 23, wherein the first type ofcursor positioning represents a relatively high accuracy with respect tomovements of the cursor on the screen, and the second type of cursorpositioning represents a relatively low accuracy with respect tomovements of the cursor on the screen.
 25. A primary pointing deviceaccording to claim 23, wherein the first type of cursor positioningcauses the cursor to move along a first direction (d₁) on the digitalscreen, and the second type of cursor positioning causes the cursor tomove along a second direction (d₂) on the digital screen, the seconddirection (d₂) being independent from the first direction (d₁).
 26. Aprimary pointing device according to claim 18, further comprising awireless communication interface for transmitting the primary positioncommands (C₁) to the digital processor.
 27. A primary pointing deviceaccording to claim 18, further comprising a cable interface fortransmitting the primary position commands (C₁) to the digitalprocessor.
 28. A multifunction pointing device for controlling theposition of a cursor on a digital screen in response to primary andsecondary position commands (C₁; C₂) processed by a digital processor,comprising a primary pointing device generating the primary positioncommands (C₁) by means for relative movement between the primarypointing device and a substantially flat external surface, and asecondary pointing device generating secondary position commands (C₂)via at least one bearing registering user input control, the secondarypointing device being physically connected to the primary pointingdevice, the secondary pointing device being detachable from the primarypointing device, and the primary pointing device and the secondarypointing device being separately operable, such that when the secondarypointing device is detached from the primary pointing device the cursormoves on the screen either in response to the primary position commands(C₁), in response to the secondary position commands (C₂) or in responseto a combination of the primary position commands (C₁) and the secondaryposition commands (C₂).
 29. A multifunction pointing device according toclaim 28, wherein the secondary pointing device comprises at least onerechargeable battery cell, and the primary pointing device comprises abattery charger for charging the at least one rechargeable battery cellwhen the secondary pointing device is connected to the primary pointingdevice.
 30. A multifunction pointing device according to claim 28,wherein the secondary pointing device comprises a wireless communicationinterface for transmitting the secondary position commands (C₂) to thedigital processor.
 31. A multifunction pointing device according toclaim 28, wherein the primary pointing device comprises a wirelesscommunication interface for transmitting the primary position commands(C₁) to the digital processor.
 32. A multifunction pointing deviceaccording to claim 28, wherein the primary pointing device comprises acable interface for transmitting the primary position commands (C₁) tothe digital processor.
 33. A multifunction pointing device according toclaim 32, wherein the cable interface includes at least one wire fortransporting electrical energy (E) to the primary pointing device.
 34. Amultifunction pointing device according to claim 28, further comprising:a docking interface for receiving the secondary position commands (C₂)from the secondary pointing device when the secondary pointing device isconnected to the primary pointing device, and a transformation unit forconverting the secondary position commands (C₂) into primary positioncommands (C₁) being adapted for forwarding to the digital processor.